PR 217: RIOT AT HMP STOCKEN

At 17.00hrs on Saturday 18th January 2020, prisoners at HMP Stocken rioted on Mike Wing. The incident started when 5 prisoners accessed the netting and a Prison Officer was attacked from behind by a prisoner yielding a pool ball in a sock. Staff then withdrew from the wing for their own safety.

Before unlocking that morning, management held a meeting with staff to discuss intelligence that had been received that suggested a disturbance was planned.

Extra staff resources were put on the wing.  There were no incidents during the morning regime.

The injured Officer was escorted to hospital and is recovering at home from concussion.

Tornado riot teams regained control in the early hour of Sunday morning and 18 prisoners were transferred to other establishments.

The wing is being assessed for damage.

Mark Fairhurst, National Chair POA said;

“The levels of violence and the incidents my members have dealt with since the beginning of the year highlight the need to issue the vital protective equipment staff have been waiting for since October 2018 without delay. Placing criteria on the issue of equipment that can be used to quell violence and protect staff and prisoners is unacceptable and my members have had enough. I have written to the secretary of state Robert Buckland requesting an urgent meeting and I still await an acknowledgement, proof that those in power make bold statements praising brave Prison Officers, when in reality they do absolutely nothing to improve their working conditions or ensure they are safe. Having spoken to staff involved in this incident it is clear that if PAVA had been carried the incident would never have escalated. Asking Prison Officers to do their job effectively is like asking a firefighter to quell a blaze without a hose and water. Staff should not be placed at risk daily due to a reluctance to roll out measures that could prevent these incidents occurring.”

 

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For further information, contact:
POA Press Office 020 8803 0255 Option 7